What's all this about?
This is the most powerful production Audi yet to be built, the R8 competition (Audi insists on a lower-case 'c').
Fantastic - when can I buy one?
Are you living in America? Because if not, the answer to your query is 'never'. The competition is a limited production run of 60 cars, all destined for the US.
Boo! What are we going to miss out on, then?
Well, taking its inspiration from the R8 LMS racers, there's carbon fibre aplenty on this supercar. It clothes various items on the outside - such as the fixed rear spoiler, mirror housings, flics, side blades, front spoiler and rear diffuser. It can also be found in the engine bay and it's also liberally applied in the interior.
What about motive power?
The 5.2-litre V10 engine makes 570hp, which allows the competition to hit 62mph from a standing start in just 3.2 seconds, before going agonisingly close to the magic double-ton when flat out, the R8 capable of 199mph. Where appropriate.
Has anything else been changed?
The car has a sports exhaust system with black high-gloss tailpipes, a finish that is repeated on the alloy wheels. All competitions will be seven-speed S tronic models, with no manual option. Ceramic brakes with contrasting red callipers are the final cherry on the cake.
When do these lucky Americans get the R8 competition?
Order books are open now, with first deliveries in early 2015. Better start applying for a green card, then.
Matt Robinson - 4 Nov 2014